Crown Family Philanthropies – Program Director, Environment

About Crown Family Philanthropies Crown Family Philanthropies (“CFP” or the “Foundation”) is the philanthropic division of Henry Crown and Company (see below) and supports the Crown Family’s philanthropic and grantmaking endeavors. In 2009, after more than 60 years of family grantmaking under the name Arie and Ida Crown Memorial, CFP was developed to represent and facilitate an array of family grantmaking practices.

Today the legacy of Arie and Ida Crown lives on in the work continued by their descendants, who remain dedicated to the Jewish tradition of tikun olam, or “repairing the world.” Supported by a professional staff, CFP is led by more than 50 family members across multiple generations who come together to set strategy and make grantmaking decisions.

About The Position

Crown Family Philanthropies (CFP or the Foundation) seeks a Program Director to oversee strategic development and program execution for its Environment Program. Reporting to the CFP President and serving alongside other Foundation leaders, the Director will manage the Environment Program team, including a Program Officer and Program Analyst. CFP’s Environment Program portfolio is guided by the Foundation’s Environment Committee, an engaged group of trustees who provide direction to CFP staff.

The Environment Program Director will facilitate the family’s commitment to environmental protection, with a particular focus on protecting and restoring the Great Lakes and taking action to avert the catastrophic risks from climate change. They will lead the development and implementation of strategies and systems that result in dynamic and equitable grantmaking that maximizes environmental and social impact and deepens family engagement.

The Program Director must be able to sit at the table with key nonprofit, philanthropic, and government leaders and add value through deep discussions and the development of close partnerships. The ideal candidate will be a recognized leader in the field, highly creative, intelligent, inspiring, forward-thinking, and particularly adept at handling sensitive and complex topics with multiple stakeholders.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Work with the Environment Committee (especially the Committee’s Chair, Associate Chair, and other Foundation leaders) to develop, lead, and advance impact strategy and goals, guide direction of the portfolio, develop grant recommendations, assess current grant initiatives, and coordinate learning opportunities aligned with the strategic framework
• Serve as CFP’s content area expert and represent the institution in environmental arenas (especially in sectors addressing Great Lakes protection and Climate action in the Midwest), as well as take a leadership role in initiating convenings among and actively participating in essential regional and national gatherings with funders and practitioners in the field; act as a field-wide thought partner on issues of strategic importance; and engage Crown family members (especially Environment Committee members) in opportunities to think broadly about and innovate long-horizon, sustainable solutions
• Identify, establish and cultivate partnerships to fund and operationalize Committee strategies
• Develop and track metrics for clusters of related grants and work with grantees to embed evaluation indicators into both grants and portfolios
• Inform Committee members of the environmental, economic, and social impacts of key policy developments and initiatives related to Great Lakes protection, habitat restoration, water policy, clean energy development, building decarbonization, regenerative agriculture, food waste reduction, and environmental justice; engage with leading experts in the field and share relevant information; understand and adhere to regulations regarding policy-focused grantmaking; maintain an understanding of relevant issues and developments and be an overall

leader in the field

• Develop and maintain deep relationships with diverse stakeholders, including grantees, funders and other external stakeholders to collaborate on efforts and maximize impact; understand best practices and immediate needs; advocate for grantee partners within the foundation and the field
• Plan, manage, and co-lead Committee meetings, supporting Committee leadership to ensure dynamic, engaging, and productive sessions
• Conduct due diligence on and present environment grants; collaborate with the Foundation’s grants management team to ensure that grantmaking complies with all regulations on private foundations and public charities
• Develop opportunities for family member learning and engagement
• Oversee the Environment Program team, including a Program Officer and Program Analyst, providing leadership, mentorship, guidance, and support
• Serve on CFP leadership team overseeing internal CFP projects and activities
• Provide support on individual grantmaking, advising family members on compelling philanthropic opportunities for personal giving in the sector

Experience

• Minimum of 10 years’ progressive experience in the fields of environment, conservation, and/or climate change within the philanthropy, government and/or non-profit sectors; significant experience and exposure to regional environmental advancements and challenges
• Minimum of 5 years of experience effectively leading, coaching, and managing teams
• Bachelor’s degree or commensurate experience; master’s degree in relevant field is a plus

Core Competencies (Skills And Abilities)

• Deep knowledge of the environment and climate policy landscape in the Midwest and Great Lakes Basin generally, with specific attention to Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan; content area expert, knowledgeable about national trends and innovations that may be relevant to the Midwest and Great Lakes Basin
• Talented, inspirational leader with outstanding relationship and meeting facilitation skills
• Ability to plan strategically, taking into consideration an evolving landscape and lessons drawn from grantee experiences, field knowledge, and evaluation and measurement results; ability to conceive and execute high-level strategy and align tactical needs creatively and effectively
• Demonstrated ability to set and achieve bold goals, develop and implement metrics to measure outcomes, and reassess goals and priorities as appropriate; experience tracking, analyzing, and synthesizing data to understand and communicate impact
• Previous work with senior leadership teams, governing boards, or executive committees preferred
• Detail oriented with keen conceptual, analytical, and critical thinking skills and an inquisitive nature
• Superb organizational skills including ability to prioritize agendas and manage conflicting needs; ability to respond flexibly to shifting priorities
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team; comfortable operating in a highly collaborative team environment
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with a demonstrated track record of communicating complex issues succinctly; ability to listen and synthesize multiple inputs
• Ability to interpret and generate financial statements
• Demonstrated ability to act with humility, sensitivity, and discretion
• Growth mindset with an eagerness to receive and give timely and relevant feedback, and seek and advise on opportunities for professional development

Compensation And Benefits

Henry Crown and Company (HCC) and the Crown Family Philanthropies division offer a generous

compensation package that includes health insurance, 401(K), paid time off, pension, and profit

sharing. Salary will be discussed in candidates’ first interview.

Additional Information

Henry Crown and Company and the Crown Family Philanthropies division are committed to creating a diverse environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women, members of the

LGBTQIA+ community, individuals experiencing disability and BIPOC are less likely to apply to jobs unless

they meet every single qualification. At HCC we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and

authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly

with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the

right candidate for this or other roles.

Hybrid Work Environment

Henry Crown and Company and CFP currently operate in a hybrid work environment, with staff expected to work in the downtown Chicago office a minimum of two days per week.

About Henry Crown And Company

Henry Crown and Company is a Chicago-based, privately-held operation [not a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization] that manages business interests and coordinates investments falling into four broadly-defined categories: publicly traded securities, real estate, investment funds, and privately held operating companies. The corporate office employs approximately 200 professionals in the areas of investment management, corporate development, accounting, tax, human resources, information technologies, legal, family services, philanthropy, and administration.

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